Odisha to set up a PSU to boost renewable energy generation

According to reports, the Odisha government today said it has decided to set up a dedicated public sector company for the purpose of increasing generation of renewable energy, mostly hydro-power production capacity in the state.

“My government has decided to set up a dedicated Public Sector Undertaking in the name of Green Energy Development Corporation to give focused attention in development of small hydro power potential of the state,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said herePatnaik said the proposed PSU will also focus on generation of other renewable source of energy including solar and wing power.

Addressing an international seminar on Hydro-Power and Sustainable Development here, he said though the state already have 2100 MW capacity in hydro-power sector, there are about 12 sites where medium and major hydro-power projects can be feasible.The state can generate another 2000 MW of hydro-power in these 12 places, he said.

The Chief Minister, however, said the work on these medium and major projects could not proceed because of various reasons.

Stating that commercially hydro-power has been proved to be cheaper source of energy, Patnaik said development of hydro-power source has certain environmental impact as submergence of habitations and forests, high initial capital cost while electricity generation depends upon the availability of water in the reservoirs.
In a country like India where rainfall depends upon movement of monsoon, generation of hydro-power some times suffer from inadequate rainfall, he said. Therefore, Patnaik said the state plans to set up small hydel projects with less capacity.